Decentralization

Question 1

decentralization

Answer 1

transferring policy-making authority and responsibilities from national governments to local and regional governments

Question 2

centralization

Answer 2

consolidating policy-making powers to a higher level

Question 3

decentralization pros

Answer 3

• bring flexibility and responsiveness in public services, allowing policies to reflect local diversity
• officials work in the field close to the problem
• may result in more innovative and creative administration
• more effective in implementation due to simplefied monitoring and evaluation
• can increase political stability and national unity

Question 4

decentralization cons

Answer 4

• inequality due to differentation in services per locality
• municipalities are in competition with one another
• small communities are unable and unequipped

Question 5

centralization pros

Answer 5

• promotes uniform standards and equality
• ensuring citizens receive same level of services
• can better manage complex, large-scale issues

Question 6

centralization cons

Answer 6

• leads to inefficiencies -> policies may become too generic
• overregulation where national agencies may be detached from local realities

Question 7

arguments used in favour and against decentralization

Answer 7

• flexibility
• efficiency
• democracy
• equality
• free-riders
• complexity

DEFFEC MAN

Question 8

data to answer how decentralized a country is

Answer 8

• fiscal -> which level spends more
• sovereignty -> which level had constitutional/legal authority?
• electoral representation -> which level has greater political representation/higher voter turnout?

Question 9

crucial factors when showing decentralization as advantageous

Answer 9

• country size
• satisfaction
• power positions and resistence to change, when in possession of power